Asheron's Call screens

Microsoft and Turbine Entertainment to Usher In Long-Anticipated Sequel To Popular Online World

LAS VEGAS — Feb. 27, 2002 — Answering the call of the players, Microsoft Corp. today announced at its PC Games International Games Festival that "Asheron's Call® 2," a sequel to the popular "Asheron's Call," is in development and scheduled for beta release this winter. A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), "Asheron's Call" has brought thousands of players together in a colossal online gaming world. A leader in the MMORPG genre, Microsoft is building on this momentum and has again allied with Turbine Entertainment Software Corp. for the development of "Asheron's Call 2." The game will feature a new dynamic, evolving world that reacts to player behavior and actions; the advanced MMORPG Turbine Engine G2 graphics engine; a revamped combat system and a new in-depth crafting system that gives players a chance to pursue noncombative skills.

News source: Asheron's Call website